DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
The next six weeks were hard on everybody at the waystation. Buck worked tirelessly, it seemed that he never slept, working hard with Kid all day and trying to keep up with his chores at night. Kid worked hard at teaching himself to walk again, nobody could doubt his dedication to his wife and the prospect of seeing her again. Cody had been called back to his regiment to do some urgent scouting for them, so Rachel and teaspoon were working harder then ever to try and keep up with the jobs that needed to be done around the station.
Kid was almost walking, his legs not always responding but sometimes able to take several shuffling steps unassisted. One morning Teaspoon, Rachel and Buck had gone into town to pick up come supplies and check on things at the Marshall's office, when a lone rider appeared at the station house.
"Can I help you?' Kid spoke from his seat on the porch
'Kid, you probably don't remember me, my name is Jim Baker. I used to fill in on runs out of Sweetwater.'
'What can I do for you Jim?' Kid asked his tone more friendly
'There's been a problem in Sweetwater' Jim remembered how protective Kid used to be of Lou and didn't want to be the one to break bad news to him
'What sort of problem?' the hair on the back of Kid's neck prickled, a sure sign that he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.
'A gang of bank robbers his the bank, unfortunately they used the old Sweetwater Station as a staging point. Jimmy has gone after them. But Lou was hurt Kid. The doc sent me to find you, he said you should get there as quick as you can'
'What?...How?' Kid was almost incoherent in his pain for the beautiful young woman that he loved so deeply
'Thanks Jim' he spoke as he pulled himself to his feet with his crutches and made his way inside. Jim watched him leave and turned his horse towards town.
Kid struggled to make his way upstairs and packed a saddle bag, struggling back down the stairs he wrote a short note and left it on the dining room table. Knowing that they would distress his beloved Katy, he unbuckled his braces and dropped them on the floor beside the table.
Rushing outside, he stumbled several times as he crossed the expanse of gravelly dirt between the house and the barn. Reaching the barn he went straight to Katy's stall. He gripped her face affectionately , his own face already a lather of sweat and tears.
'Katy, you'll have to help me, I don't think I can do this alone. You have to take me to Lou. He murmured against her coat. It took him three tries, but he eventually made it onto her back, holding her mane in his hands, he urged her to move forward, galloping out of the barn and across the plains, content that now he was on his way t the side of his beloved.
'Strange Kid wasn't here to meet us' Buck frowned as he took the reins of Rachel's horse in the same hand that held his own, and led both horses toward the barn
'He's probably just having a nap' Rachel answered as she walked up to the porch steps.
'I'll go up and check on him if you like'
Buck nodded his head as he walked into the barn, not prepared for what he found there.
Dropping the reins of both horses he turned and ran back to the house, colliding with Rachel at the door
'Katy's gone' Buck spoke
'Kid's gone" Rachel stated at the same time, waving a note clutched in her hand at Buck. He took the note and unfolded it quickly
'Lou's hurt. Jimmy not there. Gone to Sweetwater' he read as he looked back at Rachel
"He's not ready for that ride'
Both were disturbed by the sound of a horse approaching the station fast. Relieved to see the rider was Teaspoon both of them ran down to the hitching rail to meet him
'Teaspoon...Kid's gone' Rachel spoke
'Jim Baker from Sweetwater just told me, Lou was hurt yesterday. I figured he would go, I thought I would get here before he left.' Teaspoon explained
'I'm going after him Teaspoon' Buck stated
'I figured you would son' he frowned 'bring back good news Buck' Teaspoon asked
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